Underwater Robotics
This area deals with the development and realization of Artificial Intelligence methods in underwater systems. Main points of research are:
- Development of systems for user support in remote-controlled underwater vehicles employing virtual immersion methods
- Design of methods for autonomous manipulation and mission planning of robot arms in underwater applications, particularly with state-of-the-art sensor technology, such as "Visual Servoing"
- Image evaluation and object recognition with modular and intelligent underwater cameras
- Design of control methods for next-generation autonomous underwater vehicles
- Development of biologically inspired and energy-efficient methods of transport for underwater vehicles, such as oscillating systems
Space Robotics
The research area Space Robotics deals with the development of intelligent robots for extraterrestrial exploration focusing on:
- Development of robot systems for unstructured, uneven terrain based on biologically inspired innovative locomotion concepts
- Development of multi-functional robot teams usable for different tasks ranging from in-situ examinations to the organisation and maintenance of infrastructure
- Reconfigurable systems for planetary exploration
- AI-based methods for autonomous navigation and mission planning in unknown terrain
- Image evaluation, object recognition and terrain modelling
- AI-based support systems for scientific experiments
Logistics, Production, and Consumer (LPC)
In the area Logistic, Production, and Consumer (LPC) new systems are developed which will improve handling and scheduling tasks by using methods of Artificial Intelligence and innovative mechatronic concepts:
- Fast, self-learning image recognition and classification to identify production faults
- "Visual Servoing"-methods to sort piece goods
- Intelligent production memory based on RFID chips in logistic chains
- Handling of deformable piece goods
Search and Rescue Robotics (SAR), Security Robotics
In this area, robots will be developed to support rescue and security personnel. Main points of our research are:
- Development of highly mobile platforms for indoor and outdoor applications
- Development of autonomous systems that are able to identify potential victims (SAR) or intruders (Security)
- Development and application of state-of-the-art sensor technology based on radar, laser scanner, and thermal vision to identify objects and persons, resp.
- Embedding of robot systems into existing rescue and security infrastructures
- Autonomous navigation and mission planning
Cognitive Robotics
Our research deals with the development of intelligent agents which learn through interaction with the surroundings and are capable of collecting information about their environment and of independently identifying options for acting. Main points of our research are:
- Development of adaptable, robust learning architectures
- Integration of intelligent materials
- Representation of senso-motorical information
- Alternative morphologies and mobility concepts
- Application of biologically inspired concepts for
- Developing the morphology of robots and their learning algorithms
- Steering and control algorithms
- Development of new concepts for human-robot-interaction through investigation and development, resp., of common communication paths
- Self-evaluation in technical systems
- Scaling decision-theoretical planning procedures to heterogeneous multi-robot systems
- Deal with continuous, restricted resources in a multi-robot framework
- Decision-theoretical planning frameworks
- Adaption of biological control concepts for the development of fail-safe, redundant and energy-efficient control